NEW YORK, NY- The first annual New York Hot Jazz Camp will take place May 17th-22nd, 2016. This effort is spearheaded by Co-Directors Molly Ryan, vocalist, and trumpeter Bria Skonberg, Co-Founder of the New York Hot Jazz Festival. The pair were recently featured in Vanity Fair Magazine as jazz millennials on the rise and are revered as specialists in the classic jazz style.
"Both of us share a love of this music that was instilled early on, largely through attending jazz camps.” said Molly Ryan. “It was there we found inspiration and garnered a deep appreciation for the sounds, styling and music created by the likes of Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, Bessie Smith and many other jazz greats.”
Skonberg has been on faculty of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Camp for eight years and is part of the JALC Jazz For Young People outreach program that teaches the fundamentals of jazz alongside social history. "Playing this style of jazz means focusing on the collective; We want to nurture the art of musical conversation. This music is the heart and history of American music."
They are intent on sharing this love and experience with 50 students this spring and have recruited a star studded faculty for instruction:
Catherine Russell - Vocals
Jon-Erik Kellso - Trumpet
Dan Levinson - Clarinet/Saxophone
Vincent Gardner - Trombone
Jesse Gelber - Piano
Nick Russo - Guitar/Banjo
Jared Engel - Bass
Kevin Dorn - Drums
For this venture they've partnered with the Greenwich House Music School where classes will be held 9am-3pm Tuesday-Friday. Students will receive both group and private instruction on how to play hot New Orleans style jazz and will be assembled into bands. Saturday will include a trip to the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens. The final student concert will be held Sunday May 22nd at the Iridium Jazz Club at 1:30 pm. The All Star Faculty will be featured in concert at Birdland on Sunday May 22nd, 6:00 pm.
A separate jam schedule is being set up for students to experience playing in the local scene at NY clubs such as Fat Cat, The Rum House (featured in the movie Birdman) and Dizzy's Coca-Cola. Extracurricular outings are being organized to enjoy the stalwart residencies of such groups as Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks and David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band.
The camp is open to players 18+ Trumpet, guitar/banjo, reeds and vocal spots are full and currently accepting wait list only. There is availability on trombone, drums, bass/tuba and piano. Financial assistance is available thanks to a successful Kickstarter Campaign with 100+ backers.
For more information and applications visit www.nyhotjazzcamp.com
